THREE historic Ledbury buildings will be inviting visitors to learn more about local history as part of Heritage Open Days.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, September 14-15, the Market House will host a photo exhibition about local produce, including recipes dating back to Victorian times, hosted by Ledbury Food Group.

On the same days Ledbury’s Chapel — which is not usually open to the public — will offer a chance to look through burial books, some dating back hundreds of years.

Meanwhile visitors are invited to rediscover the 16th Century Painted room, where Tudor costumes will be available for children, aged 7-9, to try on.

Opening times at all three venues are 11am-1pm and 2-4pm.

Heritage Open Days is England's largest festival of history and culture, bringing together more 2,000 people and organisations, and thousands of volunteers. 

Other nearby venues taking part include Newent’s Market House, which will host an exhibition covering 3,000 years of the town’s history. The historic building will be open on Saturday and Sunday, September 11-12, from noon to 4pm, and at the same times the following weekend.

Also on Saturday, September 11, the National Trust’s Brockhampton Estate in Bringsty, near Bromyard, will be open from 10am-5pm.

Hereford Cathedral is also taking part. There will be three activity sessions on the theme of ‘Edible England’ on Saturday, September 18, which must be booked in advance. 

For more information or to book, visit heritageopendays.org.uk.

* Anyone inspired to take an active role in preserving Ledbury’s history could consider becoming a volunteer at the Butcher Row House Museum.

Announcing the opportunity, Andy Tector of Ledbury Civic Society said: “This is a great opportunity for those who love to meet new people and jump into the history of our wonderful market town.”

Training is offered and no experience is necessary.

The museum features many items of local interest including reproduction helmets and breastplates that would have been worn in the Battle of Ledbury in 1645 and a collection of musical instruments ranging from a ‘hurdy-gurdy’ to a Tibetan pipe fashioned from a thigh bone.

For details, visit the museum or email chair@ledburycivicsociety.org.